Still, I have no internet at my new house and it's killing me as well as squashing my ability to post the multitude of things bouncing around my noggin. So instead of doing a proper post I'm going to do another random posting of various tidbits.
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Yesterday, i had two separate encounters with Texas DPS Officers. Occasionally I go out of town for work. Used to be the post office here in Amarillo maintained mail sorting machines in half a dozen area offices, but these days only two towns still have these machines. Guymon, Oklahoma and Childress, Texas. Both are two hour car trips.
So yesterday while driving to Childress in the white cargo van with the postal emblem blazed on every side of the vehicle I got pulled over. The officer wanted to know why the vehicle didn't have a license plate. An straightforward enough question for a lawman doing his job. I explained that they removed the plates from postal owned vehicles after 911 because someone had stolen a plate in an unsecured lot and then tried to gain access to a military base or something of that nature. The highway patrolman remained skeptical.
He questioned me some more asking where I worked. I lifted my ID badge which was hanging around my neck and said the the US Postal Service.
Next he asked me what was in the van. My answer, computer equipment and circuit cards along with necessary tools.
And again he said, "And where do you work." I badly wanted to say UPS just to see oif he was paying attention but decided not to.
He took my license, ran it to make certain I had no warrants then then once again said, "And you work where?"
Sure I had a Gourds t-shirt on and a weeks worth of facial growth, but given I had a postal ID badge with my picture on it and a driver's licence to match and a vehicle with 8 bajillion postal eagles on it should have been proof enough of my employment.
But most surprising he never asked if I was packing a gun. That's usually the first question I get asked when someone finds out I'm a postal worker.
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The mighty St Mary's Sharks played their first indoor soccer game of the season. I'm merely an assistant, but head coach Dan led the group pf 10 Kindergartners to victory last night. As usual there is no official score but every child on the team could tell you they won 7-4.
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Read an interesting news story about a woman who stole another ladies identity and used it to open a line of credit at a plastic surgery center which she used for a breast augmentation. The doctors staff contacted the real lady to find out why she missed her follow up appointment they discovered the crime. Police are still looking for the suspect, or should I say suspects.
I don't live in Florida but I'm should the need arise I'm willing to serve on the jury should they catch the offender. Of course everyone is innocent until proven guilty so examining the evidence would be a must.
40 comments:
That cop sounds like a moron.
Are you sure the perp had a boob job, Travis? You might not want to examine an old lady's face lift too closely...think Joan Rivers. I would check all the facts before volunteering for that jury panel.
My first thought is that here in KY, whenever you have an appt, you get a bazillion calls reminding you that you have an appt. See - it's the doctor's fault.
We've had a round of criminals loose here - beat up the friend of a friend, took 10 firearms, ammunition, etc. Wouldn't be surprised if they try for Mexico, so watch out!
It sounds like he was doing his job, but not thinking too clearly. Maybe a few too many hours in that hot Texas sun with no hat.
Me, well, I always seem to get pulled over when I don't have my gun. I carry it all the time now like a lucky charm.
LOL
Um, yeah. A gun quesiton for a postal worker is a must. ;-)
And I bet you'd examine the evidence and request more examination while deliberating. Have to be real sure before you return a verdict. It is your civic duty after all.
I've never before thought to ask you about the whole gun thing, since you work at the post office. Now that I think about it though, it's pretty funny. Next time I see you, I will ask just to see the look on your face!
Heh. Some cops are just morons. You know what they say about lawyers and cops don't you? Cops are just lawyers who couldn't pass the bar exam. *wink*
Oh man. I swear, the stuff that happens to you is great fodder for your stories.
The cop story reminds me of a news item a few years ago about a Connecticut town that gave prospective cops an intelligence/aptitude test. They refused to hire the guys and gals that did well saying they would just get bored at the job.
Sounds like the Texas DPS has more or less they same system.
Ooh I love pull over stories! lol. Well at least you were obliging...or else you'd be out a couple hundred bucks I'm sure!
Nothing better than games played where every child ends up a winner.
Love that.
Hey...the 1st grade St. Mary's indoor soccer team is also called the sharks. Our first game is tomorrow night!
Sorry it took me so long but I just reviewed your Amazon book! I loved it by the way!
And after reading the query first and now the book...I'm so glad you revamped the query!
Travis: I love your take on the simplest things! Your mind always puts an engaging twist on moron cops, and other mundane stuff! Keep the "tid bits" (and the tit bits ;-) coming!
LOL Aloha-
So if she's arrested, she'll be busted for being busted? I'm sure you'll keep us abreast of further developments. ;)
Who said the perpetrator of the identity theft was a woman? So Travis were you packing when the cop pulled you over?
Are you sure he was a member of the law enforcement community?
I've met some dim bulbs in my time (when you work for the government, they really come crawling out of the woodwork), but this guy really takes the cake.
I mean, my kids and your kids are smarter than this "patrol officer".
I do hope you get internet soon.. The withdrawals suck!
I can't believe how dumb that cop was. Even after your postal ID and DL showed YOU.. our tax dollars hard at work!
Kids are the most honest score keepers.. I think it's ridiculous that score wasn't kept. That's why we have such self intitled kids today, they think the world owes them.
I live in Florida, but I haven't heard of that story... I will have to go look it up.
Travis, this is my first visit to your blog and these stories are hilarious. Great way to start the morning!
Hope you get connected soon, yay kindergarten soccer stars, and as an attorney I'll do some research and see if there's anyway to get you on that jury. ;)
Thanks for visiting yesterday!!
Travis, that cop sounds like one of the kids I teach. Honestly, I explain something, write it on the board, then explain it again half a dozen times, and someone from the back will invariably ask me the exact same thing I so carefully explained five minutes later. Sometimes I really wish I could drink on the job, and I don't even drink.
Go Sharks!!
Catching up on blogs this morning. Somehow I got behind. Enjoyed your My town post, as always.
Love the soccer story -- 7-4, whoop!
So, do you carry a gun on the job? My postal inspector friend most surely does.
And, thanks for the ID theft humor.
Hope the internet at home is resolved fast. IT's a pain to try to find it elsewhere -- especially between Amarillo and Childress.
Oh my gosh, what a story about the cop. I would've had a hard time not being a smart-ass after the tenth time he asked where you work. Did he think he was going to trip you up and you'd accidentally say you work for bomb makers or something? Jeez.
I love that the kids keep score anyway. I always wonder how that works. Weird.
Every time I get stopped it's, "Do you have any guns or knives I should know about?"
Hubby was pulled over a couple of months ago. The cop thought he was DUI because he had been weaving on the road. Well, hubby had just come from the gym and was trying to avoid pot holes. He was perspiring and had a towel around his neck. No trace of alcohol on his breath.
Well, the cop believed him and let him go. whew!
Travis, never ever give a cop any kind of attitude. You were likely stopped because they had nothing better to do and were fishing.
As for guns, I thought all Texans carried guns.
So where do you work?
After reading some of the comments about the questions the cop asked you, there seems to be a misunderstanding about questioning technique. Policemen will ask a question at least three different ways during a conversation to see if the person being questioned slips up in their answer. Has nothing to do with them being morons.
Ni internet, I can't imagine. It is always nerve wracking getting pulled over by the cops, even when you are totally innocent. Especially when George Bush was president.
There had to be a dissatisfied man in that last item. The things we won't do.
Hey now! Examine the evidence at home first.
LOL on Alex's comment regarding the cops. It must be true.
So where are the closest doughnuts? :)
-Peace
Glad to read you are in your new home! What a trip with the cop!! What's up with that one???
I agree the cop sounds like an idiot, but it's good not to give them any attitude. No comment on the stolen boob job. ;) Hope you get internet soon, Travis.
As usual- I loved your story. You really have a great way of telling a tale!!
Where do you work again...I didn't catch that the first seven times you told me. Can I be on that jury too. I've NEVER been called to jury duty, but I must might make myself available for this case.
Gee, even random you're funny. Some of the dumb things I see in the name of security here are mind-boggling. Hmm, an idea for a post...thanks Travis.
Has it ever been acceptable for postal workers to carry firearms?
Wanting to serve your civic duty to such a degree is admirable! :)
I hope your internet gets fixed soon. On the other hand, how much more are you getting done toward settling in to the new house without it?
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